Foraging Ecology of the Albatross • Michelle Kappes Larry Arbanas
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Volume 52, Number 8-9 May/June 2007 Foraging Ecology of the Larry Arbanas Returns L arr y Arbana s , MDA S Albatross • Michelle Kappes member and bird and nature In February, MDAS photographer, continues his quest members were given an to collect high definition footage of overview of the lengthy the behavior of all North American and surprising migra- bird species for the media collection tions of a variety of of the Macaulay Library of Natural open-ocean animals. Sounds and Images in the Cornell At our May 3 meeting, Lab of Ornithology. His travels Michelle Kappes, PhD take him from Maine to Mexico candidate from U.C. and from Alaska to Florida. Larry Santa Cruz, will pres- is currently filming in Florida and Rufous-capped Warbler at ent details of her re- the Dry Tortugas and will share Barranca de Yécora, Mexico Laysan Albatross nest at Kilauea Point search on the foraging his latest spectacular footage on Larry Arbanas photo National Wildlife Refuge on the island ecology of three species June 7. of Kauai, Hawaii. of albatrosses in two A lifelong, passionate naturalist, Larry grew up in a family of ocean basins. Michelle studies the foraging distribution behavior professional still photographers for whom nature photography was of the Laysan and Black-footed albatrosses from Tern Island in a primary interest. Throughout his career as a professional video the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, in comparison to the foraging producer and commercial TV cameraman, Larry has provided behavior of the Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses of Amsterdam video footage for clients such as The World Book Encyclopedia, Island, Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises. All three of Black Entertainment TV, Kraft Foods, and VH. His life and these species use similar oceanographic domains during long- career direction changed dramatically in March of 989. He was distance foraging trips. They favor pelagic zones of convergence profoundly moved by the tragedy of the Exxon-Valdez oil spill as between subtropical and subpolar waters. At Amsterdam Island he watched the efforts to rescue otters, seals, and sea birds from these habitats are found in close proximity to the breeding colony, Prince William Sound. He redirected his efforts as a commercial Continued on Page 2 » video cameraman to telling stories of conservation and restoration of the natural environment. His business, Earthwhile Nature Productions, has provided video footage for the U.S. Fish and Meeting Schedule Wildlife Service and California Fish and Game. For the past four The next general meeting of Mount Diablo Audubon years he has devoted his time to collecting high definition footage Society will be Thursday, May 3, in the Camellia Room Continued on Page 2 » of The Gardens at Heather Farm, 540 Marchbanks Annual Potluck Dinner Drive, Walnut Creek. (Map on page 7). The June potluck is held in our regular meeting place before 7:00 pm Birding Information the presentation by Larry Arbanas. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Mem- 7:25 pm Announcements and Election of Officers bers bring a main dish, salad, or dessert and their own utensils 7:40 pm Social time, refreshments,* door prize and coffee cup. Please mark your serving plates. Tea, coffee and 8:05 pm Speaker: Michelle Kappes punch will be provided; bring your own wine if you wish. * Please remember to bring a cup. I wish to thank all the members who have contributed the June 7: Annual Potluck Dinner delicious treats that we all shared during our meetings this last 6:30 pm Doors open year. Some members bring something each meeting they attend! 7:00 pm Dinner is served! And also a huge thank you to everyone who unselfishly takes 8:05 pm Speaker: Larry Arbanas time to help me set up and clean up after each meeting—I’m so grateful to all! Thank you so much. Gerry Argenal DEDICATED TO HABITAT CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION the Quail —— May/June 2007 President’s Corner Continued from Page 1 » I always wait until the last minute to May Meeting: Michelle Kappes see what crosses my desk or my mind be- while at Tern Island, albatrosses must com- fore I write this column. A couple of things mute great distances to reach these highly happened to me in the last few days that productive foraging grounds. This may seem to fit together as a subject and the have important behavioral and energetic subject is what kind of small things can consequences for these species. Michelle’s we do that are very practical to help the work is part of the ‘Tagging of Pacific Pelag- environment. ics’ project, a multi-disciplinary research Most of you probably know these program aimed at understanding the three things, but it never hurts to mention migration patterns of large, open-ocean animals in the North Pacific. them again. The first is something that has Can you identify this distinctive duck always bugged me—bottled water. I heard Before coming to U.C. Santa Cruz, whose sound has been described as a loud, a news report that said one billion—yes, a Michelle worked with NOAA’s Antarctic piercing squeal “ooo-eek, ooo-eek” when billion—plastic water bottles go into land Ecosystem Research Division investigating it is disturbed and taking flight? Turn to fills in this country every year un-recycled! reproductive ecology, demography, diet, Page 7 to learn more. Less than 5% of plastic water bottles get and foraging ecology of Chinstrap and recycled. For us with East Bay MUD and Gentoo Penguins on Livingston Island, Contra Costa water district, our tap water South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. This has better standards than bottled water. work is part of a larger ecosystem-moni- Welcome Please, get a container and fill it from the toring project aimed at assessing potential tap. The second is household hazardous fisheries impacts to Antarctic krill popu- New Members waste. We did some spring cleaning around lations and dependant predators in the Sherill Borg Concord the house last week. You know, under the Southern Ocean. Bill Kleeman Walnut Creek sink, in the closets and garage and pulled Michelle’s Master’s research focused on Fred & Donna Locher Clayton out over 20 cans, bottles, aerosol cans etc. the breeding and foraging ecology of Caspian Harold Newman Berkeley that had not been used maybe in years. Terns in the mid-Columbia River, with spe- Connie Pudlak Vallejo Both Contra Costa and Alameda cific focus on the effects of their predation counties have drop off sites for these kinds impact on ESA-listed juvenile salmonids. Karol Richardson Pleasant Hill of products that will dispose of them safely This information is now being used by state, Idell Weydemeyer El Sobrante and it is free. Phone 800-646-43 to find federal, and tribal resource managers to help out where to go. The third item seems make decisions regarding management of strange, but it makes sense. When we wash tern predation in the region. our cars in our driveway, that soap and grime goes right into the storm drain and Birding Information then to urban creeks and eventually into Last Fall the Board of Directors of the Bay. A professional car wash location Mount Diablo Audubon initiated a pro- recycles the water coming off the cars gram to honor private citizens who have they wash. Good reason to have your car made an individual effort to enrich the washed. natural environment of our community. With spring migration in full swing, it On May 3, MDAS will honor John is time to get out to look for our returning Ginochio, a local cattle rancher. John Continued from Page 1 » bird friends, so let’s get out there. maintains a Barn Owl box on his barn and a Kestrel box on his windmill tower. He June Meeting: Larry Arbanas of the behavior of all North American Election of Officers maintains habitat for Burrowing Owls and birds, to be included in the collections of At each May meeting of the Mount about two acres of brush habitat support- the Macaulay Library. Diablo Audubon Society, in accordance ing brush rabbits and California Quail. with the bylaws, we elect officers for the Some of you will remember Larry’s He has opened both his ranch property following fiscal year. If you would like to last presentation when we were running and his marsh property near the Concord run for any of the positions, please call out of time and Larry offered to cut his Naval Weapons Station to our Christmas any of the present Board members, whose films short. The entire group declared Bird Counts. These areas have allowed our contact numbers are given on Page 7. in unison, “No!” and all stayed to see count to include some additional species All current officers are on the ballot the complete footage of his material. All such as Snipe and Prairie Falcon. for reelection: agreed that it was spectacular. Join us President: Jimm Edgar Phil and Pat Gordon, Jimm Edgar and June 7 for our annual Potluck Dinner and Vice President: Mike Williams Bob Wisecarver will share their experi- enjoy Larry’s beautiful high definition Treasurer: Steve Buffi ences with John and honor him for his films accompanied by appropriate and Secretary: Claudia Hein environmental awareness. entertaining background music. the Quail —2— May/June 2007 SPEAKING OF CONSERVATION Arroyo del Cerro Makes a Comeback By Nancy Wenninger Arroyo del Cerro Creek meanders additional red-legged frog habitat. Fences through rolling grasslands along North were built along the creek corridor to Gate Road at the entrance to Mount Diablo exclude livestock while the plants become State Park.